September 2006

Before

After

Two years ago I was really frustrated. Even though I had been working out consistently for many years, my body never seemed to change. I had over 100 DVDs and worked out at least 5 days a weekbut I never saw results and I didn't like the way my body looked. I rarely, if ever, wore shorts. I also never went swimming because I was embarrassed to be seen in public in a bathing suit. I just couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. I wanted to be super-fit, to be able to consider myself "athletic," but I didn't know how to get there.

In the spring of 2004 I heard about this new program that was in development called P90X. It was rumored to be the most intense home fitness system ever. After checking out the Beachbody.com Web site and the video clips of P90X, I knew that I had to order this program.

When I received the package, I read the Fitness Guide and the Nutrition Plan and previewed all the DVDs. All I could think was "WOW!" I loved the look of the set and the music. I loved that the people in the DVDs were regular people, most of whom had done the test group. I loved that the women were wearing regular clothes; no tiny shorts or super-tight jog bras showing off chiseled muscles. These were real peoplethere to inspire, not intimidate me. Finally, I thought Tony was awesome. I loved his sense of humor and the way he motivated both the people in the workouts and me at home. I also saw that the Nutrition Plan was chock-full of well-researched information that would teach me how I needed to fuel my body to get the best results possible.

Once I got started with the program, I was hooked. I looked forward to my workouts and was excited looking at my log sheets and seeing my progress as I worked my way through the program. I finished the 90-day program with a completely new outlook on exercise and what it takes to be a fit person.

Doing the P90X program was the impetus for me to start a running plan that I had been wanting to start since I was 15 years old. I also started gathering knowledge from all different sources about ways to train and proper nutrition. Inevitably, whatever I read was almost always something that I had already learned through the P90X workouts and guide books. I am still running and enjoying participating in 5K races. I can call myself a runner because of P90X.

There was one thing that stood out for meeven above all the exercises and music. That was the 4-word phrase that Tony said in Plyometrics: "Get your mind right". This was really key for me. Starting P90X wasn't something that I took lightly. I knew it was going to be an intense program. Getting through my first rotation of P90X was the hardest physical task I've ever completed (second only to giving birth to my two children). Getting my mind right meant that I was able to handle anything that life might throw at me. As a full-time career woman with two small children, I need to be tough. Knowing that I can get through P90Xand come out the other end smilinghas given me the edge and self-confidence to be able to handle anything.

One of the things that I love about P90X is that no matter how many times I do it, it always seems fresh to me. I've had the workouts for 2 years and I've done 4 of the 90-day rotations! I've worked my way up to be able to do over 200 push-ups on my toes in Chest & Back and I'm jumping higher than ever in Plyometrics. I lost 10 pounds and have gone from wearing a size 10 to a size 4. In all honesty, I can't wait to start my next rotation. This is a system that I know I'm going to return to again and again.

I'm not sure exactly how to go about thanking you Beachbody, all I can say is that because of this incredible program I am more fit and self-confident at 39 than I ever thought possible. I look forward to keeping fit with you.